LONDON, United Kingdom — Two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has posted his first public message since a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends and team members, sharing a brief tribute on social media as families prepared for funeral services.
Joshua, 36, was released from hospital on New Year’s Eve after sustaining minor injuries in the incident, which occurred on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday, December 29, 2025.
He returned to the United Kingdom ahead of memorial and burial rites for the victims, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
In posts on X and Instagram, Joshua shared photographs that appeared to show him with grieving relatives and captioned them, “My Brother’s Keeper.”
View this post on Instagram
Earlier in the week, a spokesperson described Ghami and Ayodele as “close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.”
Floral tributes were placed outside Ghami’s gym in north London as plans were finalised for funeral prayers at a London mosque on Sunday.
My Brothers Keeper ❤️🪖❤️ pic.twitter.com/V604vAJtcw
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) January 4, 2026
Details of the crash and ongoing legal case
Nigerian police said the crash involved a sport utility vehicle in which Joshua and others were travelling when it collided with a stationary truck.
The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with offences including causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence.
Kayode appeared in court on Friday, where the case was adjourned until January 20.
He was granted bail set at 5,000,000 naira and remanded pending completion of bail conditions.
According to accounts given in court proceedings, brake failure was cited as a factor in the collision.
Reports have also indicated that Joshua moved from the front passenger seat to the rear of the vehicle shortly before the impact.
Joshua was treated in the hospital following the crash and discharged after doctors determined his injuries were minor.
He subsequently flew back to Britain to be with the families of the deceased.
Quiet tribute amid mourning
Joshua’s social media message, his first since the crash, did not reference the accident directly but focused on honouring Ghami and Ayodele.
The post showed him standing beside relatives of the two men in a private setting.
Both men were regarded as long-time members of Joshua’s training circle. They had travelled to Nigeria shortly before the crash.
Joshua, who has Nigerian heritage, had been visiting the country following a recent bout in the United States. He has not made any further public statements beyond the social media tribute.
Burial arrangements for Ghami and Ayodele were expected to take place on Sunday, with family members, friends and members of the boxing community in attendance.
